Front brakes on MG Midget & boat update!

Brake jobs are fun. Hahah! Our 1976 MG midget has never failed to fail! Or is it our mechanical skills that fail us? Nevertheless, you guys are coming along for the adventures!
Here’s the episode from NineCarGarage that I watched to learn more about the job!
• 1976 MG Midget Brake D...
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[@p.d.nickthielen6600]

Moss motors has every part you need I bet

[@jimhaines8370]

Second on the Moss motors as they can get it shipped on if they are out

[@lukewalker1051]

Quite a revelation for me...my first car was a 1969 MG Midget I bought used with my Dad's help in highschool when I was 18. I am old now and have owned and built a lot of cars after that. I was in a horrific roll over car crash in that car and by the grace of God survived and went on to live a long life. I remember the non syncro first gear and the overall balance of the car and when driving at 50 mph on back roads, an incredible sense of euphoria as in connectiveness with the road. Mass matters and why Lotuses are so coveted. I recall the short gearing....I believe the engine would tach 4K RPM at 60mph in top gear and how I always wanted to take the engine to redline between gears. Overall balance and feeling one with the road as primitive a car it was as it is no more complicated than a riding lawnmower. It didn't seem underpowered with modest 1275cc engine. It just seemed 'right'. I went to own other cars like Porshes, BMW's and Corvettes and many others...and was an automotive engineer in my career but that car was very special even though I am tall-ish and it was a tight fit and Miata by comparison is bigger. Seeing it up close....your Grandma's Midget maybe a later model tha my '69...I thinkg someone removed the big rubber federalized bumpers ;-) looking at the wheels and looking into the interior again after all these years...pulling out the choke aka fast idle and hearing the rap/snort of the exhaust...brought it all back....50 years ago. It was so good. What a great ride life has been for me including a lot of motorcycles ...I have loved speed since I was a little boy and still do. My first car and thanks for the walk down memory lane.

[@the9-5ersgarage]

Your comment about not knowing something or being new at it and not letting that hold you back is one of the things I like about y'all's channel and why I try to watch episodes with my daughter. She gets so frustrated with those challenges and it is great to have someone she can see how through the same things but still pushes forward.

[@daleferriss1444]

I have.watched you doing.many challenge s you are doing a great job at what you do keep up.the good.work.

[@bobbolieu9013]

I think that seeing Finley in the water is the first time that I have seen a terrier in the water. Finley is the man!

[@jaybird1780]

Love the channel! God bless you on your sneezes ❤️

[@user-gc1zn5mn4p]

I had an MG Midget in college & did all the maintenance on it. This Midg needs the gas tank emptied & flushed. The carb needs to be cleaned & adjusted. The engine needs a proper tuneup. Midges are notorious for electric problems due to moisture so spray the electrics with silicone. Then go have fun.

[@superlukage]

There's a specific square box-end wrench for the adjusters on little British cars. You could also reach out to a KZbinr Midget specialist, this Week With Cars.

[@steveellis1237]

Bless you, what an awkward time to have to sneeze, you did it so cutely tho 😊

[@masp441]

11.10. Bless you x2. Its good to see a beautyfull woman sneezing so freely and unrestricted. Hope you enjoy your sneezes.

[@3landii]

Many years ago I passed a somewhat clapped-out Jaguar with a bumper sticker that read "Every part that is falling off of this car is of the finest British manufacture". Might need to get one of those for your MG! ;-)

[@xozindustries7451]

I would soak that backing plate in Evaporust, I’ve had great luck with that loosening up stuck bolts

[@flyingsparksgarage]

Oh! We have some! We should try that!

[@TheSlider535]

I'm 76 in Canada and my 2nd car was an MGA 1961 which i bought in 66, And of all the cars I've had that MGA is still in my heart, I wish i still had it... love you guys keep up the great work

[@jasonclegg6125]

Love how the Midget logo is hanging on for dear life!

[@stevethuss2707]

I LIVE BOUT 90 MILES FROM IOLA, IF I DIDN'T ALREADY HAVE PLANS I'D OF LOVED TO MEET U KID'S. BEEN FOLLOWING U FROM THE START. LUV U BOTH.

[@DarkHorseCom]

Welcome back!!! You have been missed. Seems like forever since that last post. Glad you made it back safe and sound.

[@bobroberts9354]

Finley is such a good helper.

[@marksearcy9708]

I know you have brand partners but, Aerokroil is a fantastic penetratingly oil and it will creep up the threads to help loosen it. Also you can heat it up and try your crc freeze lube. The heating and rapid cooling can also help break it lose. Good luck.

[@AcmeRacing]

I once watched my brother heat a manifold and a broken exhaust stud cherry red then shock the stud with an ice cube before winding it out with vise grips. Another mechanic friend of mine swore by a tiny pipe wrench he had for similar jobs.

[@seans_shed]

What we use in the uk is a couple of clothes pegs on the choke cable, one on a warm day and two on a cold day, been a thing for decades here

[@scottimusgarrett15]

The sound that the MG Midget makes has been said to be "rorty"; a British term for "spirited". I've always thought that "rorty" was an awesome word to describe these little cars! Thanks, y'all! Keep on keepin' on! ✌️❤️🙂🇨🇦

[@darrylmonat5361]

I am glad to see you and Arron are good. You guys dissapeared after powertour for a substantial amount of time. I was praying nothing happened on the way home, and I see nothing did. Glad to see you guys again!

[@lazyhoundracing9621]

Yep, that's how it goes in real garages. I think it needs a blower. Thank you for your time.

[@GCGomez]

Yay! You're back! Missed y'all after the Power Tour, but glad you took some time to rest.😁

[@legit.jthomas]

My first experience with working on a car was on a 1976 MG Midget that my sister left me in highschool. Replaced the master cylinder, ignition switch, gas tank, and brakes. Fun car to wrench on when you are a kid. Like mine, why are the mirrors always missing? haha

[@jimwest3891]

I had a 1964 Austin Healey Sprite as my first car?? It was the same body and parts as the MG Midget. Quirky would be a good nick name for it!! It had intermittent brakes and the transmission had non-synchromesh first gear. You couldn't downshift into first unless you were below a certain RPM and then you just had to force it into gear. After a certain amount of time the brakes became so bad that to stop you had to simultaneously pump the brake pedal, pump the hand brake and shift it into first and pray. What fun it was.

[@reneprovencher8395]

Hey Boo! Two weeks? That trip would of wore my butt too! Boat? Yeah usually seals? Loved the trip GF. Yep! Twas all fun! Design a mount for your spare tire to trailer hitch. Broncos always did this. I put a plate curved and welded all the way on the inside of body. Yikes pity person that had to remove the rear panel!! 🥵😳

[@bobbolieu9013]

That's some great work there you all. Spraying all of those bolts, nuts and surfaces showed to be a fantastic first step in the process, it made all of the work much easier. I have to admit, that I found it pretty neat to see the front suspension drivers side through the end of the rocker panel.

[@joegilly1523]

Love the sound of the MG. Hope your boat is not too bad to replace the gasket.

[@bobsmith8321]

Discovered this year that the transom bolts on a Bravo drive should be checked once in a while. Sometimes tightening them can stop a leak. Easier than taking it apart to reseal if it works (did for us).

[@cee128d]

Been using Freeze Off for close to 20 years now. When I worked at NAPA back in the early 2000's you couldn't give that stuff away no matter how hard I tried to sell it. Nobody believed in it at all. Most people used Deep Creep (from SeaFoam), PB Blaster, or Heaven forbid WD40 (which was essentially useless as a penetrating fluid). The store I worked at quit carrying it after a couple of years once we finally sold the last can out of the FIRST case we got in and refused to carry it any longer.

[@cheesecakehunk7932]

Hey Aaron and Emily check the ujoint bellows to see if there’s a hole in it,check the shift cable bellows to see if there’s a hole in it if there’s no holes in either one of those take a small ball peen hammer and tap around your transom plate and see if the transom could be rotten right around the transom plate one of those three things you should find the problem.

[@prezzzrock]

Ready for more boat vids!

[@davel2223]

Aaron & Emily, have you ever tried bees wax for penetrating solution. you can buy it in bars , heat up the object in question and apply the wax on and let it melt in with the heat. You'll be surprised how easy the part releases. Try it you'll like it

[@bobdefalco]

I was all about to chime in about the adjuster...but, wow - the Midget and my B are NOT the same. I wish you guys the best!

[@jdfmfb03]

Love the new camera ? It makes it look like I am there in person👀👍. You did a great job on the brakes. BTW don’t throw away the old pads they have plenty of meat on them. There are plenty of MG forums on the interweb and a huge network in St. Louis MO to get all your answers

[@jimbranch7312]

I had one of those back in the 70s. I was restoring the dash one day and after hours of sanding and taping off the gauges I was ready to put on a new layer of crinkle paint. My dad walked in (he was visiting) and upon seeing what I was doing..grabbed the paint and put a great big run right down the middle. I could have killed him that day but now would be happy if he was around to screw up the paint on everything I own.

[@RearEngineShop]

I love the little mg! I hope the boat repair goes well. Sucks you couldn’t camp in it like you guys wanted to.

[@jhaedtler]

My first car was a 1959 Triumph TR-3! I learned so much from that car! Like Lucas Electrical is the prince of darkness! And how to adjust valves. I would float them at least once a week! Thanks for the videos!

[@ThatandCo]

submerge the whole part in Evaporust let sit for 8+ hours and rinse with water then dry and paint and lube all surfaces

[@geraldmiller6679]

Your gas comments reminded me of a few years ago when I bought an 80s Honda prelude from a bank repo. On starting it it sounded awful and you could not determine the exact problem of what was causing the way that it sounded. After on the negotiation of price because of this sound the bank came down considerably. It did run so I was driving at home but the tank was almost empty in the first place I stopped was a service station. I filled it up with premium fuel. After I had driven about 10 miles all of a sudden the engine smoothed out and started running great. Of course it needed a lot of other things done to it but I did not have to do anything to that engine and you speaking about the fuel and the varnish smell made me remember this from back in the 90s.

[@AaronHardinPhoto]

One of those little one barrel Holley Snipers would be sweet on the MG.

[@xozindustries7451]

My dogs are terrified of the water! Glad you guys made it home ok, hope your grand parents get well soon.

[@ShopKatIndustries]

As soon as the MG fired up my 2yo #toptech came tearing over to see...he loves anything with wheels! Cheers from Alberta!

[@rsprockets7846]

try 71-77 vega GT rims for the MG wider and direct bolt on

[@AdventuringwiththeS.G.O.C.C]

I had an old Triumph many years ago. I swapped the carbs for two Weber sidedrafts and it ran amazing.

[@KeithJenkinsvideos]

You are the best-looking youtuber ever. I would watch you writing your name. My first car was a 76 midget, rubber bumper version. fun but small car. You folded the top wrong. top goes down, then window goes separately.

[@MrCaprinut]

Ford Capri with 3 litre engines had the same setup with bolts holding the brake disc facing the wheel. All the other Capris has the disc bolted at the backside of the hub. 3 litre Capris were not sold in US, but there was the 2.3 Lima engine and the 2.6 and 2.8 Cologne V6 available in america depending on the year. Last year for US was 77', but production lasted til 86'. I'm not fond of drum brakes, too much stuff that can go wrong as sized adjuster or handbrake etc. They are not vented either so they keep the heat much longer than disc brakes that can make the brake fluid boild if driving hard. Disc brakes are so much easier to service in my opinion. Great work guys 😊 I hope you find a solution to the back plate adjuster issue. I did watch somewhere a guy putting his rusty window winder mechanism that was sized, into a pan with some chemicals. That removed the rust in no time and and also free'd it up without problem at all. I will have a look to see if I can find that episode.

[@Krieghardt]

Well, I can see one major issue with the MG...it's steering wheel is on the wrong side! British Leyland had some "quality control" problems, but even Brummies know where steering wheels are meant to go. 🤣🇬🇧

[@emmajacobs5575]

Err, people from Abingdon aren’t Brummies!

[@yuri210fun2]

Try and heat the adjuster bolt only and than cool it with some of the freezy stuf you have there...metal always contracts more than it expants after heating so try not to heat the metal around the bolt to much...make the bolt a lightbulb than cool it...maybe get a koffie and it will brake loose after that...work smart, not hard. And off course order a new bolt if you have to heat it to a 40watt lightbulb point😅

[@jasonjones5213]

Glad to see you guys back.Loved your Power Tour videos.That MG is a good looking car.

[@frankgeimer5952]

A MG Migit is a fun vehicle to drive, they are very agile and peppy if tuned right. There is nothing like putting your top down and let your hair blow, ripping down some 2-lane blacktop.

[@neilperry2224]

Hope everything goes well with the boat. You've got the B series facts coming out of the exhaust. Lol If you sneeze twice, someone owes you a kiss. You've got a 'maggie' this car isn't for turning over . Lol If you ever need parts for Maggie, give me a message and I can get them here in the UK for you. Shed look good on a set of red wire wheels like she's wearing lipstick.

[@socalfun64]

I had a 73 Midget back in 1980. Thought it was gonna be a really fun car. Ended up working on it or paying to get it worked on nearly every weekend. Never got the Carbs working properly and the exhaust constantly cracked. One issue after another. Oh yeah, had to replace the rans 3 times. Everything is double the price or was in 1980. Had to roll start it for most of the time I had it. Beautiful British Racing Green but dang.

[@joecarr9476]

I owned a 1969MKII with Overdrive switch on the dash, she was all red exterior & black interior and in very good condition, great interior leather and exterior chrome. I'm not sure why I sold it around 1994 but I've regretted it ever since as they shot up in value. Thinking about it now I probably wanted something faster but some of the best times I had were cruising in that car with stereo blasting in the Queensland Sunshine.

[@seethebutter]

Thanks. That MG sounds GREAT

[@ericcorse]

If you can't find a new backing plate/adjuster and it is frozen by rust try soaking it in evaporust, or some kind of acid. Take precautions if you go with the acid.

[@dsprester]

Hey Emily & Aaron, was looking forward to seeing you at Iola but did not. We were vending and sold about everything and left today (Saturday). Maybe see you next year.. Was a great weekend other than the rain Friday morning and the really hot day on Thursday. I hope you all had a great time.

[@rsvp-realscalevehiclesproj6965]

Looking forward to meeting you both at Iola this weekend. We will be there on Saturday.

[@robertjagrevx8834]

I have a 76 midget as well. The choke should be at half until warmed up on a cold start. That aftermarket carb is part of your problem. I'm in Kansas, and can start mine without any choke. If its the non catalyst version, the manual suggests premium fuel. Or try to use at least non ethenol fuel. Your e brake cable is most likely frozen. Moss motors has them for about $25 for the assembly. and its pretty easy to install. Reach out if ya'all have any questions.

[@kenfritz2851]

See you guys at my local show in Iola !

[@billwelch3421]

On the adjuster I would recommend chewing tobacco but something tells me you probably aren't open to that. That was always my grandfathers solution to rust. Spit tobacco on it wait a couple hours and give it a try. He would make one or two turns, spit more and go have a cup of coffee and come back for one or two more turns. He had a lot more patients than I did but I would watch him work on a rusty bolt for days when rebuilding Model-T's that sat in the woods for 50 years. He always managed to get them out when I would end up breaking off the head. Sometimes their is wisdom in the old ways and sometimes they are gross.

[@leslietarboxjr4287]

Welcome back Emily and Erin. Missed your content. You did an awesome job on your daily videos prior to and during Powe Tour. You deserved a long break. Hope you get your boat fixed so you can enjoy more time on the water. Hope your grandparents get well soon.

[@x35mmman]

If I wasn't in a bad car accident a month ago I would be there in Iola WI. Live in IL and my first 28 years of life was in WI. I already check the area you have to try a Friday Fish Fry in that town. Try to get some cheese curds that squeak and check out some of that good WI custard ice cream

[@dennisbailey4296]

That adjuster system was used by Datsun or Nissan for many many years but they made it out of aluminum. But I think yours are not mistaken is made on stamp steel you will have to get that thing really good and hot and break it Loose with just a good hot heat and then let it cool right down and use your penetrating fluid to ease it back and forth and get the whole Bolt right out you have to screw it in not out. Then clean the threads and use plenty Anti-seize!! There is a 1/4" square wrench for them but if they are working smoothly you can use a open end wrench. All the best from Canada

[@larrydavidson3402]

Great to have the two of you back. Hoping the boat is easily repaired.

[@johnbrightman282]

dear team,please wash out and repack bearing with fresh high temp grease before reassembling,cleanliness equals long life in all engineering processes.

[@tomhendricksen1805]

I have rebuilt a few of this type of brake adjusters. Some may be froze to the point you can't get them apart. Those you can should be assembled with Anti-Sieze to lubricate them and try to prevent them from siezing up again.

[@markbunge2457]

Be sure to get some Spotted Cow beer while in Iola!

[@rixkafer56]

Lontano non viso or far not face or long time no see lol .. finley wading in the water is precious : )

[@BentAndTwistedHotRod]

The MG's carb is a Weber 32/36 DGV... I used the same one on all 26 Opel Manta's and GT's I resurrected in the 80's and 90's... Weber's are about the best carbs on the planet... Losing the original Solex carb, was the best single upgrade I did, for every Opel I built... Going from the Solex's vacuum secondary, to the mechanical secondary Weber, made a huge jump in power, essentially doubling the power side of the drivability quotient.... Same carb is often used on Bugs, in single, or dual configurations... Pull it off, tear it down, and clean it real well, paying particular attention to the emulsion tubes under the air bleeds, will have it like new, and humming along, great... There literally isn't an easier carb to rebuild, or tune, anywhere... PS, drive an Opel GT sometime, you'll fall in love, instantly.... Those little 1900 four bangers will do 146 mph, in a GT, with a stock 4 speed, and a Weber on it... They're like driving on rails, can take a 25 mph corner, at 90, with a set of T/A 60's... Built in Germany '68-'73, often called a mini-vette, a misnomer, the first GT Concept was shown at Turin in '65, they have a one piece body, more or less, all Steel... Corvette borrowed the design from Opel, not the other way around... 2/3 of the 100,000 built were exported to the US...

[@donaldhalls2189]

It's a nice little rig, I've always liked the MG, I was doing some work experience in a workshop in Adelaide, they were putting a rover crank machined to fit in a aluminium block Leyland v8, for a MG, hope your mum gets to enjoy herself again, in it, I recon she would look pretty, cool , cruising in it, all the best to yous and your loved ones

[@Duncangonefishin]

You guys are awesome ! I can't wait until you buy a old '68 or '69 El Camino

[@TPaolozzi]

you guys are a great team always asking for help when your not sure about something and that just great, keep up the good work guys .

[@craiggoodwin9704]

MG! Good Luck. Thanks for Sharing!

[@Nickwillfixit]

The best is when you have the WTF moments over our engineering get rounds yep small disc's smaller than my V-Max disc's.

[@chrissummers2689]

contact the local Austin Healey club. The Midget backing plates cross with AH Sprites. Someone may have one in their spare parts collection.

[@bobbolieu9013]

I am a huge fan of Stabil and Seafoam. Those 2 products do wonders for bad/old fuel

[@Cstoreri]

Scarborough Faire in RHode Island for MG parts!

[@mikemullay5622]

I owned an MG GT once. Emphasis on owned!! It was a fun car to drive even though I barely fit in it. But I was forever working on it, until it broke down one last time then I sold it. Keep in mind I had owned a Fiat prior to owning the MG so you would have thought I would have known better.

[@bobbolieu9013]

I love vehicles that have a choke. It takes me back to a time when engines were much simpler

[@jrmrencso8716]

Mercruiser suggests that the outdrive be stored in the lowered position so the bellows are not compressed, that can cause cracking.

[@ScottKirk-Notredcrew]

got to take care of moma's whip!

[@subymtdan6137]

My Mom had a big block Chevelle and my Dad had an MGB and a Sprite. Driving with my Mom was way more fun.

[@allanhover5008]

Always always something every day

[@johnbrightman282]

try cooking in electric oven in workshop,also good for teams lunch warmups in winter.

[@GDKimble]

I think I would've anti-seized those rotor/hub assemblies while you had them separated!

[@markbrown6236]

Mos definitely.

[@davidcatlette9697]

Yes CAT copper a little goes a long way !!

[@daves_not_here_mannn]

Congratulations

[@robertgrauman8602]

Don't know if this helps, but several years ago I was at o'reilly's and the guy there talked about a product they didn't sell, it had freeze in the name, he said what he would do is heat up whatever it was that was that was stuck with a torch, and spray just the nut or bolt with the spray. He said it worked almost every time in the first try. He might have been talking about freeze off. Goo luck!

[@mikepaton3614]

Love the car, i have a "72" Mg Bgt in Scotland, UK. hope you gave her a little drink of a lead additive (if its still leaded head). Sounds like shes only Beating on 3 cylinders. A good ol tune up of plugs, dizzy & timing along with SU CARBS setup will have it back to good health. Good luck.

[@ianhawkins7387]

I had the same fuel tank problems 76Midget I fitted two reusable fuel filters and eventually it cleaned up, probably need a new tank

[@alancooper7062]

I’ve had the same problem numerous times on my early minis in the 60s , the only way is oxy/acetylene torch , get them glowing red and use vice grips to free them off ,

[@flatworm00]

Welcome to MG ownership...the journey is just starting!

[@timothymulholland7905]

I drove and worked on British sports cars back in the 60s. They were fun but you had to tweak and adjust them constantly. Buy your mom a Miata like I did. She will love it as much and you will be trouble free and much safer.

[@jake-dw2fw]

I love those little MG's cars, but I'm nearly 6'5 and 250lbs so the fit aint good. haha Country girl mechanics are awesome. great job Aron and Emily

[@a73capri]

Iola is an awesome car show... I've gone twice, kind of a little jealous of you... Have fun :-)

[@vonheise]

I assume that you repacked the bearings off camera, as one should never pull a hub without doing that. I would have used the fresh can of bearing grease for that too. As for the rear backing plate, it has been some time since I had an MGB, but I found salvage (junk) yards to be a great source for parts, however, they have become far prouder of their stuff than they used to be. They now can ship from all over the country, so you are not limited to just a few.

[@kencornett4768]

If there is a salvage yard around where you live call them and see if they got any MG midgets in their yard where you can go and pull the backing plates to replace your bad ones Don't know if you have a salvage yard around there but check it out

[@neoncatfish4038]

I don't know if the guy is still there or not! But in Sweeny Texas there used to be a guy that collected MG's. I think most was for parts. It was like a small junkyard but it was mostly MG's. It's been 7 years since I've been over that way! Don't know if it would be something y'all would want to check on or not.

[@philis52]

Hey Aaron and Emily, I would try a new muffler. The MG exhaust sounds like a POS Subaru on it's best day and you're killing My ears with it!

[@jasonmorales1846]

Correct me if I'm wrong.The dust cap is just a cap and not to pack grease in it since the space between the bearings in the hub is where the grease should be.That just creates more mess the next time they need to be serviced.What if you dipped the backing plate into some sort of liquid rust remover like evapo-rust?

[@troyclawson5677]

you might tighten the nut in a vise and try turning the drum if you have a big pipe wrench grabe the side of the drum for leverage

[@1975napier]

Great video. Y’all make an awesome team!

[@donmears4090]

I missed you guys. Aaron's hind sight is 19/19 shirt is great. About the backing plate did you try dynamite? And don't forget the motto of auto shop "If it don't fit force it, If it leaks use more Permatex and when in doubt get a bigger hammer. I really enjoy your content because you show everything problems and mistakes.

[@dezertol]

can some explain what hindsight 19/19 means or is in reference? thanks

[@donmears4090]

@@dezertol 20/20 is perfect vision, 20/100 would be something at 20 feet looking like it's 100 feet away. I think that 19/19 vision means someone has a dry sense of humor! 😉